Five Detroit Lions players to watch in preseason game against New England Patriots

Justin Rogers | MLive.comChris Greenwood practiced all week and coach Jim Schwartz said the cornerback is in the mix to make his preseason debut.

The Detroit Lions host the New England Patriots on Thursday night in the third preseason contest for both teams. This is the game most consider the dress rehearsal for the regular season.

Here are five Lions players to keep a close eye on during the contest.

QB Matthew Stafford
Stafford has been far from impressive in the first two preseason outings. With a knee contusion sidelining Calvin Johnson last week against the Browns, Detroit's franchise quarterback was limited to working underneath routes to running back Reggie Bush and tight end Brandon Pettigrew.

In fact, Stafford has completed just three passes for 10 yards to wide receivers other than Johnson.

Against the Patriots, where he figures to play approximately two quarters, Stafford needs to show the ability to spread the ball around. He can't just lock on to one target like he did with Johnson in the opener or Bush against the Browns.

CB Darius Slay
Slay has been targeted just once in 51 snaps this preseason, but New England's cerebral quarterback, Tom Brady, should be eager to test the rookie cornerback.

The Patriots have an unconventional receiving corps that relies on quickness, rather than size. Slay, slated to start, will be challenged with checking elusive wide outs Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola (if he plays).

If Slay has even moderate success against one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history, it will likely be enough to lock up the starting job for the regular season opener.

G Larry Warford
No player has played more preseason snaps for Detroit than Warford, who is still in the mix to start at right guard when the Lions open the 2013 campaign against the Minnesota Vikings.

The third-round pick out of Kentucky has seen a lot of time with the first unit in practice and should get some time with the top group in the first half against the Patriots. That means he'll see a heavy dose of talented, and massive, defensive tackles Vince Wilfork and Tommy Kelly.

WR Patrick Edwards
After a hyped offseason, Edwards has failed to deliver in the preseason. He's caught just three passes for 10 yards and averaged 4.5 yards on punt returns.

Whether Johnson plays or not, Edwards should see plenty of single coverage on the outside. He needs to show he's capable of getting separation and picking up some yards after the catch.

As a return man, Edwards needs to continue to make good decisions and field the ball cleanly. As long as his fundamentals are solid, he has the speed and shiftiness in the open field to occasionally bust a long return.

CB Chris Greenwood
There's no guarantee Greenwood will play against the Patriots, but his practice participation this week suggests the 2012 fifth-round draft pick is on track to make his preseason debut.

Greenwood's combination of size and speed are impressive, but he's missed so much practice time through the early stages of his career that no one knows what he can offer on the field.

At this point, the young corner is firmly on the bubble to make the final roster, but he can go a long way toward justifying a spot by playing well against the Patriots' reserves in the second half.